Will Oregon Be Next on the Same-Sex Marriage List?

With the full steam ahead feeling behind the marriage equality front lately, it's not far-fetched anymore for the LGBT population to start asking themselves, "Well, what about my state? Why not?

That's exactly what Basic Rights Oregon, an LGBT rights organization is asking in a new post on their site.

"Oregon voters passed ballot measure 36 in 2004, which wrote marriage discrimination into our state constitution. This means our state legislature can’t fix this for us, like Vermont lawmakers did.

"Immediately after Measure 36 passed, Basic Rights Oregon filed a legal challenge to the measure, the Martinez v. Oregon case. In December 2008, the Oregon Supreme Court sidestepped this challenge, and let Measure 36 stay on the books - effectively ending our options on the legal front.

"All signs indicate that the only way to win marriage equality in Oregon is to run a proactive ballot measure to remove Measure 36 from our constitution.

"Our movement has never done this kind of thing before. What would it be like? What do you think it would be like to work on this campaign?

"Should we move forward as soon as possible, even if it means risking losing? Or should we lay a solid foundation to make sure we can win?

"You decide."

Karol Collymore over at Blue Oregon responded:

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"The only way to achieve marriage equality in our state is to run a ballot measure campaign. Are Oregonians ready for that? I don't know. Is it time? Yes. It's time for all of us to do the right thing (It's not just a Spike Lee joint, people). This is not an endeavor just left for activists. Every last person who supports GLBT rights has to open their mouths and their wallets to pass a ballot measure putting equality back into our Constitution. Go to BRO's blog and tell them how your feel or say it here. Let them know to move forward and that we've got their backs.

"Basic Rights Oregon, go for it; and let me know where to sign up."

The question of when seems to have been decided. KTVZ.com has reported that Basic Rights Oregon is going to wait until 2012.

What do you think? Keep in mind, a ballot initiative asking for a "YES on Same-Sex Marriage" has never won. California is bracing itself for just such a campaign, most likely in 2010. Should Oregon wait and learn from California, win or lose? Or should they ride the current wave?